Lazarus Sauti

Lazarus Sauti The star continues to shine for gospel musician, Best Mukundi Masinire, who will launch his forthcoming project, Mashoko/Words, at Bush House in Harare this Friday. The launch will be powered by SuperChando. Mashoko/Words, Masinire’s third offering after Nakusasa Futhi and Singles Collection, carries 11 tracks that include ‘Handisi Kumira’, ‘Kwese’ and ‘Kangoma’. In an interview with 263Chat, the musician said all was set for the the album launch which will be attended by Pastor Ruth Musarurwa from the Christ Embassy. “Everything is now in place for the launch. The guest of honor is Pastor Ruth Musarurwa of the Christ Embassy Church,” he said, adding that the launch will feature fellow gospel musicians, Mathias Mhere (guest artist), Flame B and Tawanda Midzi. The ‘Yanaya’ singer believes the album has tracks that will transform the lives of different people. “American clergyman, Yehuda Berg, said words are singularly the most powerful force a...

Lazarus Sauti Most adolescents in rural Zimbabwe aged 10-18 are medically uninsured due to poverty and other socio-cultural reasons. Addressing journalists at a  ZimSelector Journalists Insurance Mentorship  programme at Holiday Inn Hotel in Harare recently, Cimas Medical Aid Society chief executive, Vulindlela Ndlovu said less than 10 percent of the population in Zimbabwe is covered by health insurance and medical aid. Health insurance is an insurance policy that covers and/or shares the risk of a person incurring expenses associated with healthcare whilst medical aid covers medical conditions according to scheme rules and managed health care protocols. “Out of a total population of around 14 million, only about 1.3 million are insured (Health insurance and Medical aid),” said Ndlovu. Without doubt, medically uninsured adolescents are less likely to have a regular source of primary care compared with those who have insurance. “Rural girls are mostly ...

Lazarus Sauti Agriculture plays a fundamental role in advancing the realization of food security in most countries and in Zimbabwe, just like any African country, women play a significant role in ensuring agricultural productivity and food security. A policy brief recently produced by Southern Africa Parliamentary Support Trust on ‘ Gender and Food Security in Zimbabwe ’ reinforces the notion that women play a crucial part throughout the agricultural value chain – from production on the family farm, to food preparation and distribution within households. “Women provide 70 percent of labour in the agricultural sector. They also account for about 2/3 of the people keeping livestock in their areas,” noted the brief. Forlornly, most women in rural Zimbabwe and other parts of the country face different challenges as government and other stakeholders are habitually hesitant to support them, says gender activist, Garikai Mangongera. “Despite their major contribution in e...

Lazarus Sauti Elphas Dzvarire (24) of Rixon Ranch in Mhangura was hit by a car at Chiuye, Rushinga Road in Mt Darwin on the 23 rd of February 2018. He was training to join the army when the accident happened. “I was hit by a Toyota Altezza in February whilst I was training to join the army. The driver of the car failed to control his car and he hit me,” Dzvarire said, adding that the driver stopped and assisted him. “He only paid $26 for my transport from the scene of the accident to Karanda Mission Hospital,” he said. “I used $485 to cover for other medical bills. Because I am unemployed, I was forced to sell 2 cows to foot for my medicals.” Dzvarire said he tried to call the driver asking for help, but to no avail. “Sometimes he ignores my calls,” he said, adding, “It’s so frustrating.” Sadly, Dzvarire was not aware of road traffic accidents and third party insurance and this forced him to beg for money to foot his medical bills. Nhau Chivingira, Ins...

Lazarus Sauti This paper discusses the 4 th Industrial Revolution, its potential as well as risks for Africa. It argues that by swiftly moving labour into more productive sectors like manufacturing, Africa will be able to industrialise and improve livelihoods. The paper also provides a brief overview on the continent’s incapacity to industrialise before considering the impacts of the 4 th Industrial Revolution on the gender gap in Africa. Defining the 4 th Industrial Revolution The 4the Industrial Revolution is the fourth most important industrial era since the first industrial revolution of the 18 th Century. According to Cilliers (2018:15), the fourth Industrial Revolution “builds on the Digital Revolution, representing new ways in which technology becomes embedded within societies and even the human body.” It is generally assumed to be about the future impact of technologies such as robotics, additive manufacturing (3D printing), block chain software technology and...

Lazarus Sauti Simon Nyaropa, a carpenter at the Glen View Home Industries Complex along Willowvale Road, lost his property worth thousands of dollars when a raging inferno destroyed part of the complex recently leaving him and other entrepreneurs with no source of living. The complex was gutted by fire on the 26 th of June this year, destroying property worth approximately US$100 000 belonging to over 500 informal traders.       “I have lost my foam rubbers, sofas, tables, chairs and wardrobes worth thousands of dollars,” said the depressed father of two. Heartbreakingly, the fire had destroyed Nyaropa’s livelihood for the second time. The first time was in 2015. “This is the second time my property has been razed by fire at this complex in less than four years,” he said, adding: “I’m on point zero. I don’t even know what to do.” Harare City corporate communications officer, Michael Chideme, said informal workers at the complex – large...

Lazarus Sauti The issue of land has dominated discourses, as well as practices of development in Zimbabwe and other African countries. The primary goal of land reform in Zimbabwe, for instance, has been and is still to redistribute land to black people without discrimination on the basis of gender, race and class. However, women are still mistreated when it comes to access to land for residential, commercial and/or agricultural use. In fact, they are vulnerable to abuse and sexual extortion. Gamuchirai Chido Chiwere (36) from Chikomba District in Mashonaland East Province said she was forced by community leaders in her area to trade her precious body for a piece of land. “Community leaders in my district demanded sex in exchange of a piece of land,” she told 263Chat.com. What a shame? Governance analyst, Farai Mutondoro, concurs that women in rural, urban and peri-urban areas in Zimbabwe are ‘sexploited’ for land by local authorities and land officers....